Well packer and setting apparatus



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M. B. CONRAD WELL PACKER AND SETTING APPARATUS IJune 15,1954

Filed NOV. 25, 1950 June 15, 1954 M B CQNRAD WELL PACKER AND -SETTING APPARATUS 3 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Nov. 25, 1950 M4@ T//v CoA/2,40',

' INVENTOR.

Trae/VEYS June- 15, 1954 M. B. CONRAD WELL PACKER AND SETTING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 25, 1950 rroe/veys Patented June 15, 1954 UNITED ST'S nenni PATENT OFFICE WELL PACKER AND SETTING APPARATUS Martin B. Conrad, Downey, Calif., assignor to Baker Oil rools, Inc., Vernon, Calif., a corporation oi' California l Claims. i

The present invention relates to subsurface well apparatus, and more particularly to well packers and apparatus for setting such packers in bore holes.

In my prior application led July 10, 1950, jointly with Reuben C`. Baker, Serial No. 172,927, for Well Packer, Setting Apparatus and Dump Ballers, a setting tool is employed capable of pumping a predetermined volume of fluid or iiuent material into the packing element of a well packer, for thepurpose of inflating or eX- panding the element considerably into sealing engagement With the Wall of a conning well bore. The Speciiic embodiments illustrated in the above application are eective in accomplishing the desired objectives and results. However, there are additional desirable features that are absent from such embodiments and which are included in the present invention.

Accordingly7 an object of the present invention is generally to improve inflatable types of well packers and apparatus for setting them in bore holes.

Another object of the invention is to inflate and expand the packing element of a well packer by pumping a predetermined volume of fluid into the packing element, in which the quantity of such uid pumped into the element can be adjusted or varied by the operator for the purpose of altering the extent to which the element can be iniiated.

A further object of the invention is to inate the packing element' oi the Well packer by pumping a predetermined volume of fluid into the element, any excess fluid above that required being automatically by-passed and prevented from entering the packing element. l

Yet another object of the invention is to provide improved and simpliiied apparatus for inflating a Well packer in a Well bore and for releasing a setting tool from the packer after a predetermined volume of iniiating fluid has been pumped into the packer.

Still a further obj ect of the invention is to provide a setting tool that inflates the packing element of the well packer in a Well bore by pumping a fluid into it, the setting tool being automatically released from the Well packer, in which the hydrostatic head of uid in the well bore cannot tend to release the setting tool from the packer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a setting tool for iniiating the packing element of a well packer by pumping a fluid into it, after which the setting tool becomes automatically released from the well packer, in which recoil effects in the setting tool, as a result of its release from the packer, are largely minimized.

A further object of the invention is to provide a piston arrangement in a setting tool for subsurface well apparatus, which makes it immaterial to the operation of the setting apparatus Whether or not the piston is assembled reversely in the tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Well packer embodying an iniiatable packing element, in which the ends of the element are rmly secured to preclude their pulling out of their mounting or retaining members When subjected to comparatively high inflation pressures.

Yet another object of the invention is to Drovide a Well packer embodying an inatable packing element, in which the end portions of the element are pressed more firmly against the parts to which they are secured as the inflation pressure increases, in order to prevent leakage from the interior of the packing element.

Still a further object of the invention is to cause the end portions of the inflatable packing element of a Well packer to become more firmly secured to the parts to which they are anchored as the inflating pressure increases, thereby precluding the end portions from pulling out of such parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inflatable packing element in a well packer which expands against the wall of the well bore with a greater longitudinal surface in contact with the Well bore Wall, thereby increasing the sealing effectiveness of the packing element against the Wall.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in Which it may be embodied.

' Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, illustrating'the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is bes deined by the appended claims. v

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through an apparatus disposed in the well bore prior to setting of the packer portion;

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, disclosing the packer expanded against the Well bore;

Fig. 3 isV an'enlarged longitudinal fragmentary j section of a portion of the apparatus disclosed in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the packer portion of the apparatus, with its parts in retracted position;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 5--5 on Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken along the line 6-6 on Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal section disclosing the manner in which an end of the packing element of the packer is anchored;

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3, illustrating the bleeding of excess packing inilating fluid from the apparatus;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through a modied form of packer setting apparatus.

As described in the drawings, a well packer A is provided which is releasably secured to setting tool B that is, in turn, attached to lower end of a running-in string C, such as a wire line. The lower portion of the setting tool may be constituted as a bailer or container D capable of retaining cementitious material E for deposit upon the packer, after the latter has been set in the well bore F.

The combination of apparatus disclosed is so devised that the setting tool B will expand and set the packer A in the well bore, becoming released when it pumps a predetermined volume of a fluid G into the packer. Upon such release, the contents E of the bailer D are deposited upon the set packer.

As illustrated, the well packer A includes a central main body portion ill having an annular flange or shoulder il upon which a lower body abutment i2 rests. An upper body abutment I3 is threadedly, or otherwise, attached to the upper end of the central body portion le in longitudinal spaced relation to the lower body abutment i2, providing a space around the central body for the accommodation of an inflatable packing element I4, of rubber, or rubber-like, material. The ends I5 of the packing element are secured to upper and lower retainers i6 engaging the upper and lower abutemnts I3, l2, respectively. yi`he element is also disposed around a retainer and spacer sleeve l1 engaging the upper and lower retainers and holding them in spaced relation.

The upper and lower packing element retainers I6 and the end portions I5 oi the spacer sleeve are alike, although oppositely arranged. Each retainer I6 has a disc-like base portion i8 engaging the body abutment I2 or I3, and is also provided with a longitudinally extending skirt portion I9. merging into an inturned flange 2c, for-.-- ing a space 2l with the base portion i8 into which an external flange 22 on the packing element extends. The inturned flange 2e lits into a circumferential space or groove 23 in the rubber packing element, the two flanges 2t, 22, in effect, forming interlocking circumferential hooks anchoring the packing sleeve to the retainer.

The retainer and spacer sleeve ll is mounted upon the central body portion Ill, and may have a generally cylindrical external portion 2li. Each end 25 of the sleeve is concave, tapering inwardly toward the retainer l and forming a space with the retainer flange 2) that decreases in the direction of divergence of the tapered surface 25.

Also disposed in each end portion l5 of the packing element Id is a gripper ring 25, which is spaced longitudinally from the retainer base I8, and which initially occupies a position slightly longitudinally outward of the inturned flange 29.

The outside diameter of this ring 25 is substantially equal to, but slightly less, than the inside diameter of the inturned flange 2B, to function in the manner described below. The ring itself may initially be held coaxially with the well packer by a plurality of centering pins 2l welded to the ring and slidably received in companion sockets 28 in the base i8 of the retainer I6.

As disclosed in the drawings, the packing element lil is also provided with a central circumferential rib or flange 29 received within a companion external groove SQ in the spacer sleeve Il. rEhis rib or ange has the purpose of causing the packing to be expanded or iniiated flatwise against the wall of the well bore F, rather than only a narrow longitudinal extent of contact being obtained.

The entire packing structure may be made by mounting the upper and lower retainers i6 with the retainer sleeve grip rings 26 and centering pins 2 in a suitable mold (not shown), and with the packing structure parts occupying the relative positions described in Fig. 4. The packing element le may then be molded around the spacci' sleeve I'! and in the spaces between the sleeve Il and the upper and lower retainers l5, the grip rings 2t being completely embedded in the rubber or rubber-like material. Of course the periphery of the rubber sleeve ld may be molded to the desired forni, such as the cylindrical surface dis closed in the drawings, substantially coinciding with the cylindrical surfaces of the retainers Iii. Some of the rubber material may also extend into radial ports 3l disposed centrally in the spacer sleeve ll.

The packing element I is designed for outward expansion under the influence of fluid under pressure pumped or forced into its interior, such fluid under pressure passes into a central passage 32 in the body, and through radial body ports 33 and the spacer sleeve ports 3l to the interior of the packing. The subjecting of the fluid to high pressure will stretch and inflate the packing element Ill in a lateral direction toward sealing engagement with the wall of the confining enclosure F, such as the wall of an uncased well bore. How'- ever, when such inflation takes place, the inflating fluid, or fluent materials, must be prevented from flowing back out of the inflated sleeve I4. This action is forestalled by providing a check valve across the body ports.

As illustrated, the body ports 33 open into a peripherial or circumferential body groove 3-4 having tapered side walls 35 converging inwardly toward each other. The back pressure valve Sii, in the form of a round rubber seal ring, or G ring, is disposed in the groove 3d and tends inherently to contract into snug sealing engagement with the tapered walls 35 of the groove. Such engagement occurs with the O ring 36 disposed somewhat outwardly of the outer ends of the body ports 33.

When fluid under pressure is forced through the body passage 32 and ports 33, it will enter the inner portion of the peripheral groove 34. This pressure will then stretch the back pressure valve ring 35 outwardly, to allow the fluid to pass around the ring and into the outer large portion of the tapered groove 34, from where it can flow through the spacer ports 3'! to the interior of the packing sleeve Ill. When the internal pressure is released, the valve member 35 contracts into snug engagement with the tapered walls 35 of the groove, and prevents the iluid from flowing in a reverse direction through the body ports 33.

The fluid is also prevented from escaping along the spacer sleeve I1 and body IIJ to the exterior of the packer, by providing seal rings 38 in grooves 39 in the central body portion engaging the upper and lower retainers I6.

As iiuid is pumped into the'packing sleeve I4, it is inflated and stretched outwardly into engagement with the wall of the Well bore F. The central circumferential rib or ilange 29 prevents the central portion of the packing element from rst engaging the well Ibore wall along a comparatively narrow wall length, such as tends to occur in the absence of the rib. The much thicker section of the packing element presented by the central rib 29 resists concentration of the expansible force at that particular portion of the packing sleeve, and causes expansion of the sleeve I4 to take place along an extended portion of its length in cylindrical fashion into sealing engagemnt with the wall of the well bore. As a result, a much greater area of sealing contact is obtainable between the exterior of the packing element I4 and the wall of the well bore F, even under a comparatively low pressure and inflating condition, such as occurs when the packing element is expanded outwardly to a comparatively large diarneter, which, for example, may be two to three times its initial retracted diameter.

During the inflation of the packing element I4 there may be a tendency for its ends I5 to pull out of the retainers l5. As ination occurs, the flange portions 22 of the packing element at each end move toward each other, shifting the grip rings 25 toward the inturned flanges 20 of the retainers I8. Each grip ring 26 has a diameter that is only slightly less than the internal diameter of its associated ange 25. The movement of the grip ring 26 toward the flange 20 causes it to grip or pinch intervening rubber packing material between it and the inturned flange (see Fig. 7). In addition, as the grip ring 26 is moved longitudinally, it comes closer to the tapered portion 25 of the retainer and spacer sleeve I'I, also pinching and clamping the rubber material between it and the spacer sleeve. Thus, it is apparent that the grip rings 26 are effective in more securely anchoring the ends I5 of the packing sleeve to their companion elements I6, I`I,^pre cluding pulling out of such ends under the normal pressures employed in fully expanding the packing I4 into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore, F.

The hanged ends 22 of the packing sleeve i4 form a seal with the retainer flanges 23, to prevent leakage of uid from the interior of the packing sleeve around its ends to the exterior of the packing sleeve. As expansion of the sleeve I4 takes place, the force of engagement between each inturned flange 2D and the packing sleeve increases, which increases the sealing effectiveness between these parts. Such sealing effectiveness is further enhanced by the clamping of the grip ring 25 upon the packing sleeve, forcing the latter more rmly against the inturned flange 2U.

Inflation of the packer A is accomplished through use of the setting tool B lowered with the packer into the well bore F. This setting tool includes a cylinder 40, consisting of a cylinder sleeve 4I threaded onto an upper head 42 and also onto a lower head 43. The lower head is threaded into a coupling 44 threadedly receiving a lower setting sleeve D, or bailer or container, having a sleeve 45 threaded on its lower end and encompassing a cylindrical portion 46 of the upper body abutment I3. This sleeve 45 is initially secured to the body abutment I3 by one or more shear screws 41. Leakage between such sleeve and the body abutment is prevented by a suitable seal ring 48, such as an O ring, mounted in the abutment I3 and engaging the inner wall of the sleeve 45.

The cylinder 45 contains the iluent material G, such as a liquid, which also lls the passage49 through a compression tube 50 extending centrally through the lower head 43. Leakage between the lower head and compression tube is prevented by use of a suitable seal 5I mounted in a groove 52 in the head 43 and slidably engaging the exterior of the compression tube 5D. The

compression tube is threaded onto the upper end.

of a tubular extension 53, which is, in turn, threaded into a thrust tube or nipple 54 extending into the upper end of the packer body I0. rThe nipple has a stop nut 55 threaded upon it engaging the upper end Hm of the body I0, the stop and thrust nut being locked in position on the nipple by a suitable lock nut 55.

The upper end of the compression tube 5G may have a. cap 57 threaded directly into it; or a spacer member 58 may be threaded into the compression tube 5i) and the cap 5'! secured to the spacer member.

As stated above, the liquid G lls the cylinder 4I, being capable of passing through parts 59 in the compression tube above the lower cylinder head 43 into the central passage 49 through the compression tube 55, tubular extension 53, nipple 54 and body passage 32, as well as the ports 33 in the latter, the tapered groove 34 and the sleeve port 3|. A floating or pumping piston 65 rests upon the upper end of the liquid G in the cylinder 45, suitable piston rings 5? being provided on the piston for sliding engagement with the cylinder sleeve 1li. The piston G5 is H-shaped in cross-section, providing a lower chamber 68 into which some air may be compressed upon filling the cylinder 4U with the liquid G; so as to allow increases in temperature of the liquid to increase the volume of the liquid without subjecting the packing sleeve i4 to any material pressure. It is apparent that as the iioating piston 66 is .forced downwardly in the cylinder sleeve 4I, the liquid G is forced out of the cylinder and through the tubular members 50, 53, 54 into the packer body IU, passing into the interior of the packing sleeve I4, inflating the latter to a desired extent.

The parts are originally held in place as illustrated in Fig. l, with the screws 41 intact, the appropriate loca-tion of the parts being insured by engagement of a shoulder 59 on the compression tube 5G with the underside of the lower cylinder head 43. Downward movement vof the iloating piston 55, for the purpose of forcing the liquid G downwardly and iniiating the packing element I4, is provided as a result of the combustion of a power charge l5 containing its own source of oxygen. This power charge rests upon the floating piston 55 within an upper recess II of the latter, and is initially disposed within a compression chamber I2 in the upper cylinder head 42. The upper end of the power charge is ignited by firing a cartridge 'i3 disposed within a gun barrel i4 clamped between the cylinder head 42 and a cable head l5 threaded into the latter. The wire line cable C is attached to the cable head 15, in a known manner, and has an electrically conductive wire or core 'I6 connected to a heating iilament 'I'I in the cartridge. l

During lowering of the apparatus through the uid in the well bore, the hydrostatic head acting on the exterior of the packing element I4 increases. It is desired to neutralize the hydrostatic head, and for this reason the well fluid is allowed to enter the tubular members 5U, 53, 54 through ports 'i8 that may be provided in the compression tube till below the lower cylinder head d3. Thus, the well fluid can pass through a window or opening 'i9 in the dump bailer container D and thence through the ports la, this pressure being exerted upon the liquid G in the tubular members 5D, 53, 5d, as well as within the packing lil itself. However, when pressure is being applied by the floating piston 56 to the liquid G in the apparatus, the ports 'FS are to be closed, to prevent escape of fluid G from the apparatus. For this reason, the ports are controlled by a one-way check or back pressure valve Bil, which may be similar to the check valve 36 located in the packer A, although acting in a reverse direction.

The compression tube 5G may be provided with an inner circumferential groove 8| communicating with the radial ports '53. rI *his groove has tapered side walls 82 converging in an outward direction toward each other. The O ring check valve member (it is disposed within this groove 3l and tends to expand outwardly into engagement with the tapered side walls 32. Pressure exerted within the compression tube 50 in excess cf the hydrostatic head externally thereof forces the 0 ring against the tapered side walls 92 and prevents the fluid from flowing outwardly through the ports i8, but when the hydrostatic head or fluid in the well bore overbalances the duid pressure within the tubular members 5B,

53, Se, the 0 ring 83 is urged inwardly out of z.

sealing engagement with the tapered side walls B2, and allows the hydrostatic pressure to be exerted upon the liquid G in the apparatus.

rEhe apparatus is assembled with the parts occupying the relative position illustrated in Fig. l. Prior to attachment of the setting tool B to the well packer A, the liquid G is placed in the setting tool, with the floating piston 5B adjacent the upper cylinder head t2. Since the upper and lower portions of the piston are symmetrical, it is immaterial which end of the piston is first placed in the cylinder 45. The end 66a oi the piston will engage the upper cylinder head 2, with the power charge 'le resting within the upper cup portion li of the piston. The lower cup portion S8 of the piston will provide the desired air chamber that will allow expansion of the iluid G upon increase in its temperature.

The setting tool B is then assembled appropriately on the packer A, the nipple 5d being piloted the central body bore 32 until the stop nut engages the upper end la of the body. A seal ring li is disposed in a nipple groove SS and engages the wall of the body bore, to prevent leakage or fluid in an upward direction around the nipple. The screws 4l are then threaded into the setting sleeve l5 and upper abutment i3. The apparatus is then lowered into the well bore F. In the event that the bore hole contains fluid, the hydrostatic head is equalized by the fluid pressure being imposed upon the liquid G, through the expedient of passing through the ports ls and unseating the upper check; valve B. As a result, the pressure both internally and externally of the packer portion A of the apparatus, as well as the setting tool portion B, is equalized until the well packer is being set.

When the setting location in the well bore F is reached, the electrical circuit through the iilament 'Il is completed, firing the cartridge 13 and causing the flame issuing from it to ignite the upper end of the power charge l0. This latter combustible fuel commences burning and generates a gas at a gradually increasing pressure. This gas under pressure acts downwardly on the floating piston 66, which begins to move downwardly in the cylinder sleeve lll, forcing the liquid G ahead of it. The liquid in the tool is subjected to pressure, as a result of thev movement of the floating piston E6, greater than the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore F. This pressure holds the upper check valve ring 8G in closed position against the tapered walls S2 of theV circumferential groove 8l and effectively closes the upper ports 13. The pressure also acts in an outward direction upon the lower check valve O ring member 35, urging the valve 3E out of engagement with the tapered seats 35, and allowing the fluid to ilow around the valve 35, through the spacer sleeve ports 3| into the interior of the packing element id. As the pressure increases, the iluid G pumps or inflates the packing element i4 in an outward direction, until it contacts the wall of the well bore E' along an extended longitudinal length, whereupon the packing element may elongate along the well bore wall in up and down directions.

As the floating piston te moves downwardly, because of the continued burning of the power charge lll, it forces the liquid G ahead of it, and approaches the stop cap 5l at the upper portion of the compression tube 5d or spacer member 53. When the floating piston e engages the cap 5l, a predetermined volume of duid G has been pumped into the packing element lil. As the power charge le continues to burn, it builds upfan increasing pressure in the cylinder dil above the piston t6. This pressure is now exerted directly upon the cap 5l, spacer member 58 (if one is used), compression tube 59, tubular extension 53, nipple 5t and stop nut 55 directly upon the packer body lil. When the gaseous pressure force exceeds the shear strength of the screws il?, it disrupts them, thereby releasing the setting tool B from the well packer A. After the shear screws d'1 have been disrupted, the setting tool B may be elevated to the top of the hole and used again with another packer in another well bore. If the setting tool B includes the bailer portion D containing cementitious matei-iai. the elevation of the setting tool B, following shearing of the screws fil, will allow the cementitious material E to be dumped from the bailer upon the set packer A.

It is to be noted that a certain quantity of liquid G remains below the oating piston Sli upon its contact with the compression tube cap El, and that the piston and compression tube :neve downwardly after the shear screws dl have been disrupted, until the piston E5 engages the lower cylinder head inasmuch as it is desired to innate the packing element lli to a predetermined extent, by pumping only a iixed volunie of iluid G into it, substantially all of thel fluid G below the piston, ollowing its engagement with the cap 5l, is bled to the exterior of the apparatus. As a result, the volume of fluid G pumped into the packing lli is the volume of liquid displaced by the piston E6 in moving from its uppermost position to a position in engagement with the cap 5l. By varying the length of the spacer member 58 secured to and between the compression tube 56 and cap 5l','the displace-v ment volume of the piston B6 can be varied, which correspondingly alter the volume of fluid G pumped into the packing element i4. Of course, the spacer member 58 may be eliminated and the cap 5l' screwed directly into the compression tube 5B, under` which condition the floating piston 55 will pump a maximum quantity of fluid G into the packing id.

The excess fluid G below the piston 66, upon its engaging the cap 57, is bled to the exterior of the apparatus after shearing of the screws 4i, which allows the compression tube 5G to move downwardly in the lower cylinder head d3. During the downward movement of the piston te in the cylinder fi to inflate the packing element i4, the seal ring 5| prevents leakage of the fluid downwardly around the exterior of the compression tube 58. However, the upper portion 59d of the compression tube has a reduced diameter and the lower cylinder head portion a below the seal ring has a larger diameter; so that the downward movement of the compression tube 59 will bring its smaller diameter portion 50a adjacent the seal ring 5i, which cannot engage it, and which will, therefore, allow the excess fluid G to flow between such portion of the seal ring and then downwardly through the annular space 9B between the cylinder head 43d and the compression tube 55 into the bailer portion D vof the apparatus. The longer the spacer member 58 the greater will be the quantity of fluid that must be bled out between the compression tube 5B and the lower cylinder head 43. When the cap 5l is threaded directly into the compression tube 5t, in order to obtain maximum expansion 'f of' the packing element Hi, there is very little fluid G remaining below the piston E6, following its engagement with the cap 5l, and the bleeder or by-pass feature may be omitted, if desired.

In place of varying the volume of fluid G pumped into the packing element I4 by using spacer member 5t of different lengths, the volurne may be varied by providing a sleeve 9i between the oating piston 66 and the upper cylinder head 52, such as disclosed in Fig. 9. A pin A 92 may extend across the sleeve 9|, to support the power charge 'f in the combustion chamber 72. The sleeve selected is of such length as to determine the volume of fluid in the cylinder de below the piston Se, and the amount displaced by the piston as it moves into engagement with the compression tube cap 51, which is threaded directly into tube 5e. As the power charge it burns, the piston 66 is forced downwardly in the cylinder, forcing the liquid G ahead of it, causing it to flow through the compression tube ports 59 and tubular passages 49, and through the side ports 33, 3| into the packing sleeve I4, to inflate the latter. When the piston 66 engages the cap 5l, an increase in the pressure within the cylinder iiD, as a result of the combustion of the power charge "l0, will shear the screws lll and force the tube 50 downwardly, until the piston Se and cap 5l' engage the lower cylinder head 43, as disclosed in Fig. 8.

When the piston 66 engages the cap 5l there is very little distance remaining for such piston to travel, following shearing of the screws 41, before the piston 65 contacts the lower cylinder head 43. As a result, the sudden release of the force on the piston `66, because of shearing of the screws d1, will not result in a substantial impact blo-w by the piston 66 against the lower cylinder head 43, since it has a short distance to travel and cannot acquire sufficient momen- 10 tum. Accordingly, such impact on the setting mechanism is minimized, following the disruption of the shear screws 4l and release of the setting tool B from the well packer A.

In the form of invention disclosed in Fig. 9, it is only necessary to alter the length of the spacer Sleeve Si to predetermine the volume of fluid G pumped into the packing sleeve i4, and govern positively the extent of its inflation.

The well packer A is both described and claimed in my divisional application for Well Packer, Serial No. 368,769, led July 17, 1953.

rlZhe inventor claims:

l. In a tool for setting a well packer in a well bore: a cylinder for containing a fluent material; a piston in said cylinder to force the nuent material out of said cylinder; means for conducting the fluent material from said cylinder; means engageable and movable by saidvpiston to arrest movement of said piston in said cylinder in a direction forcing the material from said cylinder; said last mentioned means providing a by-pass shifted to open position by said piston upon engagement of said last mentioned means by said piston, to enable escape of the fluent material from said cylinder.

2. In a tool for setting a well packer in a Well bore: a cylinder for containing a fluent material and having a lower cylinder head; said cylinder having an upper head; means on said upper head attachable to a running-in string for loweringv the tool in the well bore; means on the lower head for connecting said lower head to the well packer; a tubular member slidable through said lower cylinder head for conducting the material from said cylinder; av piston movable in said cylinder to force the uent material out of said cylinder and into said tubular member; and means providing a seal between said tubular member and lower head.

3. In a tool for setting a well packer in a well bore: a cylinder for containing a fluent material and having a lower cylinder head; said cylinder having an upper head; means on said upper head attachable to a running-in string for lowering the tool in the well bore; a tubular member slidable through said lowerV cylinder head for conducting the material from said cylinder; a piston movable in said cylinder to force the fluent material out of said cylinder and into said tubular member; said tubular member and lower cylinder head cooperatively providing a by-pass operable for the passage of fluent material upon engagement and shifting of said member by said piston relative to said lower cylinder head.

4. In a tool for setting a well packer in a well bore: a cylinder for containing a fluent material and having a lower cylinder head; said cylinder having an upper head; means on said upper head attachable to a running-in string for lowering the tool in the well bore; means on the lower head for connecting said lower head to the well packer; a tubular member slidable through said lower cylinder head for conducting the material from the cylinder; a piston movable in said cylinder to force the fluent material out of the said cylinder and into said tubular member; and means engageable with said piston for positively determining the length of travel of said piston into engagement with said tubular member.

5. In a tool for setting a well packer in a well bore: a cylinder for containing a uent material and having a lower cylinder head; said cylinder having an upper head; means on said upper head attachable to a running-in string for lowering the tool in the well bore; means on the lower head for connecting said lower head to the well packer; a tubular member slidable through said lower cylinder head for conducting the material from said cylinder; a piston movable in said cylinder to force the uent material out of said cylinder and into said tubular member; and means connected to said tubular member for determining the amount that said tubular member extends into said cylinder.

6. In a tool for setting a well packer in a well bore: a cylinder for containing a uent material and having a lower cylinder head; said cylinder having an upper head; means on said upper head attachable to a running-in string for lowering the 'tool in the well bore; means on the lower head for connecting said lower head to the well packer; a tubular member slidable through said lower cylinder head for conducting the material from the cylinder; a piston movable in said cylinder to force the fluent material out of said cylinder and into said tubular member; and means in said cylinder engageable with said piston to determine the initial position of said piston in said cylinder.

'7. In a tool for setting a well packer in a well bore: a cylinder for containing a fluent material andhaving a lower cylinder head; said cylinder having an upper head; means on said upper head attachable to a running-in string for lowering the tool in the well bore; means on the lower head for connecting said lower head to the well packer; a tubular member slidable through said lower cylinder head for conducting the material from said cylinder; a piston movable downwardly 1 in said cylinder to force the iiuent material out oi said cylinder and into the tubular member; and spacer means above and engageable with said piston to determine the initial position of said piston in said cylinder.

8. In a tool for setting a well packer in a well bore: a cylinder for containing a fluent material and having a lower cylinder head; said cylinder having an upper head; means on said upper head attachable to a running-in string for lowering the tool in the well bore; a tubular member slidable through said lower cylinder head for conducting the material from said cylinder; a piston movable downwardly in said cylinder to force the nuent material out of said cylinder and into the tubular member; spacer means above and engageable with said piston to determine the initial position of said piston in said cylinder; and means in said cylinder above said piston providing a gaseous force for urging said piston downwardly in said cylinder.

9. In a tool for setting a well packer in a well bore: a cylinder for containing a fluent material and having a lower cylinder head; said cylinder having an upper head; means on said upper head attachable to a running-in string for lowering the tool in the well bore; a tubular member slidable through said lower cylinder head for conducting the material from said cylinder, said member having a side inlet port above said lower cylinder head for the entry of said fluent material; and a piston movable downwardly in said cylinder to force the fluent material out of said cylinder and through said port into said tubular member, said piston engaging said member to slide said member downwardly in said lower cylinder head.

l0. In a tool for setting well apparatus in a wellr bore: a cylinder for containing a uent material; a piston slidable in said cylinder; said piston being H-shaped in cross-section and having a central cup-shaped upper portion and a central cup-shaped lower portion engageable with the upper end of the fluent material; and a source of gaseous pressure in said cylinder above said piston.

11. In a tool for setting well apparatus in a well bore: a cylinder for containing a fluent material; a piston slidable in said cylinder; said piston being H-shaped in cross-section and having a central cup-shaped upper portion and a central cup-shaped lower portion engageable with the upper end oi the fluent material; and a combustible material in stick form resting in the cup-shaped upper portion of said piston.

12. In apparatus of the character described: a well device embodying hydraulically operable means movable by fluid under pressure; a tool connected with said well device and including a cylinder for containing a iiuent material and in fluid communication with said hydraulically operable means, a piston in said cylinder to force the iiuent material out of said cylinder and into said hydraulically operable means to shift said hydraulically7 operable means, means engageable by said piston to arrest movement of said piston in said cylinder in a direction forcing the material from said cylinder, said arresting means providing a by-pass shifted to open position by said piston upon engagement of said arresting means by said piston, to enable escape of the iiuent material from said cylinder.

13. In apparatus of the character described: a well device embodying hydraulically operable means movable by fluid under pressure; a tool connected with said well device and including a cylinder for containing a fluent material and in fluid communication with said hydraulically operable means, said cylinder having a cylinder head, a tubuiar member slidable through said cylinder head for conducting the material from said cylinder to said well device and its hydraulically operable means, a piston movable in said cylinder to force the fluent material out of said cylinder and into said tubular member and hydraulically operable means to shift said hydrauiically operable means, said tubular member and head cooperatively providing a by-pass for the iiuent material upon engagement and shifting of said member by said piston.

le. In a tool for setting a well packer in a well bore: a cylinder for containing a iiuent material and having a lower cylinder head; said cylinder having an upper head; means on said upper head attachable to a running-in string for lowering the tool in the well bore; means on the lower head for connecting said lower head to the well packer; a tubular member slidable through said lower cylinder head for conducting the material from said cylinder; a piston movable in said cylinder to force the iluent material out of said cylinder and into said tubular member; means providing a slidable seal between said tubular member and head; said tubular member being engaged and shifted by said piston to a position disrupting said seal to allow the uent material to pass out ci said cylinder between said tubular member and head.

15. In a tool for setting a well packer in a well bore: a cylinder for containing a uent material and having a cylinder head; a tubular member slidable through said cylinder head for conducting the material from said cylinder; a piston Inovable in said cylinder to force the fluent material out of said cylinder and into said tubular member; means providing a slidable seal between said tubular member and head; said tubular member having a, reduced diameter portion; said tubular member being enga-ged and shifted by said piston to a position disrupting said seal and placing said reduced diameter portion opposite said head to allow the fluent material to pass out of said cylinder between said reduced diameter portion and head.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number 14 Name Date Hardcastle Mar. 12, 1935 Dyer Oct. 20, 1936 Brundred et al Nov. 9, 1937 Burns et al Nov. 16, 1937 Pieper Nov. 7, 1939 Dale Feb. 6, 1940 Burt Apr. 9, 1940 Hart Apr. 14, 1942 Baker Apr. 3, 1945 Lawrence May 29, 1945 Taylor et al Oct. 22, 1946 Jobe Sept. 27, 1949 Turechek et al Nov. 18, 1952 

